Departments

Working to be the most livable city in the country means placing a high priority on providing excellent customer service. In all 12 municipal departments, our goal is to be responsive, transparent, and accountable.
– Mayor David Bieter

Boise, Nov. 22, 2010 - Boise Police
did a second alcohol compliance check in as many months this past
weekend and found several businesses selling alcohol to
minors. The check was an effort to continue educating the community
as to the dangers of underage drinking and the potential
consequences of violating laws meant to protect Idaho teens.

Teen Safety at Risk:"When we look at the
causes of death or injury among teens and young adults, alcohol is
often a common factor," said Officer Jermaine Galloway who helped
organize the enforcement effort. Officer Galloway also helps
conduct free server training for any business who requests it.

Holiday Checks: "The holidays are coming
up and a lot of celebrations revolve around alcohol. Our biggest
priority is to make sure our young people stay safe and healthy
enough to enjoy their future." said Officer Galloway. "We may do
more alcohol compliance checks throughout the the holidays. These
checks aren't new. Neither is our priority of keeping our young
people safe from the risks that come with underage alcohol use."
said Officer Galloway.

On Saturday night, Nov. 20th:

two minors entered 45 different bars, restaurants and
convenience stores and attempted to purchase alcohol.

the minors, a 16 year old female and an 18 year old male, were
served or sold alcohol at 8 of the 45 businesses.

the minors used their real Idaho drivers licenses which are
vertical in design and clearly labeled "under 21".

several of the clerks or servers checked the minors ID prior to
selling them alcohol. Others did not check ID at all.

one businesses was also found with servers who had not
completed the mandatory server training required in Boise City. See
Boise City Code 05-07.

Better results than the last check:
Boise Police conduct these investigations, called alcohol
compliance checks several times a year. The last time Boise Police
conducted a compliance check, Oct. 9,2010, 42% of businesses
failed, or sold alcohol to the minors. The failure rate this past
weekend was approx. 18%.

"We hope one day to do a check and find
no violations, but we aren't there yet. We still find servers or
clerks willing to risk it, not only a citation but potentially
their jobs, and sell alcohol to minors."" said Officer
Galloway. "We'll continue to try and educate servers,
bartenders and store clerks. But for those that choose to ignore
their training, there is the threat of enforcement."

Good results in Meridian!In cooperation
with Meridian Police, Boise Police are happy to report results from
a compliance check done by officers for the City of Meridian Friday
night, Nov. 19th. Meridian Police officers worked with two females
both under the age of 21 in a compliance check. The young women
entered 12 establishments and attempted to purchase alcohol.Noneof
the Meridian businesses sold alcohol to the minors.

What can citizens do to help?

Boise Police join Mothers Against Drunk
Drivers in urging parents to talk to their kids about making smart
choices and highlighting the dangers of drinking alcohol while
their under 21. A MADD survey found parents have a greater
influence than many parents might think over the choices their
children make. Boise Police encourage parents to take advantage of
a helpful web site provided by MADD: thepowerofparents.org to help
identify ways parents and concerned adults can keep kids safe from
the dangers of alcohol.

Call Crime Stoppers:

Boise Police and Crime Stoppers have
partnered on a campaign to decrease underage drinking. The
partnership has proven successful for citizens who wish to easily,
and perhaps anonymously report businesses where sales of alcohol to
minors are occurring.

Boise Police and Crime Stoppers
encourage citizens who know of places who serve alcohol to minors,
or of places who may be overserving already intoxicated patrons to
contact Crime Stoppers. Boise Police will follow up on citizen
tips. You can contact Crime Stoppers at 343-COPS, or log onto
www.343cops.com, or text CRIMES or 274637, subject: Tip236.

DANGERS OF UNDERAGE DRINKING:

According to a study published last year
year by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration:

"Alcohol is the most widely used
substance of abuse among America's youth. Alcohol contributes to
the three leading causes of death among 12-20-year-olds
(unintentional injury, homicide and suicide). And research shows
that those who start drinking before age 15 are six times more
likely to have alcohol problems as adults than those who start
drinking at age 21 or older."

The study revealed that more than a
quarter of youth aged 12-20 (27.6 percent) drank alcohol nationwide
in the month prior to the study, and approximately 8.6 percent of
past-month drinkers aged 12-20 purchased their own alcohol the last
time they drank.

Penalties of providing alcohol to underage
youth:

• A person who sells or furnishes alcohol to an underage youth
will face fines between $500 and $1,000 plus up to one year in
jail.

State Administrative Penalties for
licensed establishments that sell alcohol to minors -
maximums:
•1st offense within three years - 10 day license suspension or
$1,000.00 fine
• 2nd offense within three year - 30 day license suspension or 15
day suspension and $1,500.00 fine
• 3rd offense within three years - 180 day license suspension